Re: Canada's Next Great Prime Minister Entry - Alika Lafontaine

A response to both questions of representation raised many moons ago, and alika's general platform.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• jason
• Matthews
• Canada's
• Next
• Great
• Prime
• Minister

[Saskdoc]

If I understand correctly, doesn't the electorate lay out priorities for its government than hold the same accountable for finding solutions to those priorities? One of many problems with our current system is the lack of accountability. With a true, coherent, nationally elected legislative body we could have that.

[melodiousfish]

A huge ritual edifice separates the Canadian electorate from the sort of direct government you speak of. And good thing. The structure of our society precludes the sort of 'professional citizenship' that a more accountable form of government would require.

[melodiousfish]

With neither the knowledge base to gauge the success or failure of state initiatives or the disposition to agonize over often very academic matters, our public is for the most part all too happy to give up some of its negotiation power in return for peace of mind. This is a far from foolproof arrangement, and yes, improvements can be made.  It's just that there's no reason to suppose that your Aboriginal House would behave differently from every other bureaucracy in this country

[melodiousfish]

. And, given their long history of disincentives, there is no reason to expect more participation on the part of native people than the rest of Canada. Not trusting the current system is one thing. Creating another layer of jurisdictional confusion and hoping for the best is another story entirely.

[melodiousfish]

Now is high time to actually discuss the questions posed in my video, I think

[Sambucacat]

tax free pho for all!

[melodiousfish]

Not even the most politically maladapted person would oppose dealing with crime, education and economic development. It's just that those soundbytes and the actual policymaking required to make them more than words are miles apart. Experts cannot agree on the appropriate course of action, nevermind mass opinion.

[Saskdoc]

Call me idealistic, but I don't think Aboriginal peoples are going to be divided in whether dealing with crime, education and economic development are priorities.

[melodiousfish]

no. i think i've illustrated quite clearly that the issue is not an inability to reach a consensus, but a very real division in priorities and emphasis among natives of all walks of life across canada. the simple act of additional bureaucracy may certainly not be enough to reconcile the differences

[melodiousfish]

In all democracies, minorities of confirmed fanatics compete for the passive allegiances of the uncommitted majority. This would be no different among natives. It's just that the fanatics who command the most respect are the ones least likely to put forth a productive platform. Of course, none of this has anything to do with the questions in my video